As part of SienaSaintsBlog’s continuing coverage of the Lionel Gomis and Imoh Silas eligibility news, we break down what Gomis and Silas will bring to the table when they become eligible.
SienaSaints.com: Fresh Faces Day 8 Lionel Gomis and Imoh Silas
With Gomis and Silas ruled to have to take a mandatory redshirt in 2011-12, the Saints will miss a key part of their six-man recruiting class in 2011.
Adam Finkelstein, who is a contributor to ESPN’s Scouts Inc and Owner/General Manager of New England Basketball Services, said signing these two was a positive sign for Siena’s program.
“When they got both of those guys to commit last year I thought it was a really big thing,” Finkelstein said. “You look at the state of the MAAC this year and the three best players in the league may all be transfers so when you get two freshmen big men who are going make an impact for their entire careers I think it’s a pretty big deal [to] get them out of high school because that’s not necessarily the way it always happens in that league.”
Finkelstein said that Imoh Silas was one of the most college-ready big men to enter the MAAC out of this year’s recruiting classes.
“He’s one of the most college ready big men that signed with a MAAC school last year.” Finkelstein said. “I think his defense is ahead of his offense right now but he’d be able to come in and block shots and rebound right away.”
“I think his offensive game, with his back to the basket, has come a long way in the last year or two. And physically he’s just always been strong, active and athletic and I think those are things that he’d be able to contribute right away or at least make the transition to the college game much easier than it sometimes is for some freshman big men.”
Silas and Gomis, despite having to sit out one season, could become a force together when they begin playing in 2012-13 season. Finkelstein said Gomis’ tools are very similar to Silas’ and both can be impact players.
“Very similar to [Silas] in terms of he has the physical tools, his offensive game still needs to come around but in terms of being able to defend and rebound he’d be able to contribute as a freshman,” Finkelstein said.
Pending new evidence uncovered by Siena’s compliance department and a successful appeal, these new Saints will likely make their impact in 2012 instead of this season.
Can someone give these 2 a sitcom? And maybe Fenlon could be the sidekick – call it 2 and a half Africans.
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[...] appealed on that decision. He will now be eligible for three seasons. Both players were prepared to have an impact but were forced to sit the season, thus dwindling Siena’s roster even [...]